This blog has been created to take donations to help with our beloved Esme's untimely passing. By clicking on the below "donate" button, you can help Esme's family pay for services and expenses. Thank you for your love and support.

She was a very great and positive influence in my daughter life. She was a role model to all girls at Girls Rock Camp. She will be greatly missed. I can only hope my daughter meet more people as loving and caring as you, Esme. We miss you, Diana and Libbie

Esme rocked and rolled. I knew her for a brief time but the times I spent with her with awesome. We shared a lot of the same beliefs and band wiffs. I miss her and would do anything to have her back to shoot the shit with.... God Bless you, ESME>

Dearest Esme, you will be sorely missed. You were a joy and wonderful friend and teacher to all the children you took care of at Casis. I am so thankful to have worked with you, and hung out with you. Your soul is in my prayers, my friend.

you were such a light in everyone's life. and you were always so loving and grateful. you made everyone else better. i love love love u. "i'm writing to say thank you.. i am just so happy right now. happy to have amazing friends." -esme bee

Hi, I couldn't help but notice that this incident was close to Nasty's bar. A friend said she has seen that guy in the sketch there years ago. Sad the police didn't anticipate a problem from that crowd on NYE in West Campus. Our young women deserve better protection from thugs. Peace be with you...

You were such a light to me. I remember being so scared my first year at GRC and Emily marched me right up to you and you smiled and you hugged me so tight and asked me if I was ready to rock. I only hope to be as amazing as you have been for myself and others. We love you

Esme will be sorely missed. I knew she was a person I wanted to get to know so much better and only had a short time to know her but she left quite an impression and her love of music was awesome. Such a bright, fun free spirit and so smart and caring for all of her students. All of my condolences to her closest friends and family and to Girls Rock camp and those that are putting together a benefit...I would love to help. I knew Esme from Casis where I teach music and loved having her in my classes and getting to know her last year as we'd pass by each other in the hall. She was also the first person I met on my first day teaching in Austin at Casis and we had to do our "ice breaker" activity together. She made it so much fun and made me feel so happy to be with such a great team. Much love to you Esme in your passing.

*Please contact me if you need help or volunteers for the benefit and I intend on joining or volunteering at Girls Rock Camps of the future because of Esme's inspiration and love for music and all who play.

I have worked with Esme for about 5 years at the record store...I can honestly say there wasn't a person that was so consistantly sweet, happy, kind and considerate than Esme Berrera. Big hi-five to you little E!

I knew Esme through my cousin Emily Gross. I hung out with her by chance several times and ran into her on the street occasionaly and was always uplifted. One day I was driving and saw her on the sidewalk but she didn't see me. Just the sight of her brought a smile to my face as I passed and went to work. I can't immagine the people she left with smiles without even knowing. To anyone that knew Esme, live your life a little extra for her.

I didn't know Esme, but just reading stories about her makes me so sorry for your loss. It's comforting to know that she knows how well loved she was. Peace to her, her family, and her friends. Ladies in Austin be careful. Justice will be served!

Esme you were an Angel on earth and now you have wings to fly. I bet they are some rock'in wings too! Thank you for all the laughs and positive energy you blessed us with everyday. You will forever hold a special place in my heart for all the care and love you gave to my daughter in the Cougar Cubs. I cherish the the time I had you in my life and I am a better person because of it. Shine on Esme and feel all the love that remains for you here. R.I.P. Beautiful lady!

I knew Esme for a long time. Easily the greatest person I've known. Like everyone else on here said, just the sweetest, nicest, happiest person you'd ever met. Definitely should not have been the end for her. Like my friend Sarah said above, Live your life a little extra for her.

I don't think I ever met her, though how can I be sure? I work on campus and like to wander through Waterloo. Maybe I did. What I do know is that I would have been fortunate to know her. I am so sad for her and so sad for her friends and family. The world lost someone who was doing good things for other people.

I didn't know Esme. I bought a record from her at Waterloo the week before Christmas. It was crazy busy, and probably not the best time to be a clerk in any store. Esme smiled at me and cheerfully answered my questions about a few records I was looking for for my son.

I only remember this because I remember thinking to myself how kind she was. I also distinctly remember that I wanted to tell her that she had a great voice. A radio voice or rock singer voice. I wanted to, but I didn't. I thought better of the comment, not wanting to be a weirdo.

I wish I'd paid the compliment, but more than that I wish Esme was still selling records and sharing smiles.

Our family was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Esme. We were luckily enough to have Esme be a mentor for our daughter, Devin, during preschool and then later at Girls Rock Camp of Austin. Devin looked up to and respected Esme as well as saw and felt that Esme cared for her. Every time we saw Esme out and about she would welcome us sincerely with hugs and smiles. Please take solace in the fact that Esme truly did touch so many people in her short life as seen in the community response.

For Esme's family and friends, I send my deepest condolences. Violent crime takes far too many shining stars for no good reason. Please contact the Victim Witness program at the Travis County District Attorney's Office or Victim Services with the police department to apply for funds to help with the burial costs. The Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund is available to help pay the funeral costs of victims of violent crimes (whether a suspect is in custody or not)and is funded solely by court fees that criminals pay. People Against Violent Crimes is another local resource. To Esme, peace be with you. May your loving light continue to shine in the hearts of those you have touched.

I send my condolences for Esme's family. I am a friend of her brother David. I can't imagine what David and his parents are going through. God be with your family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Barrera family.

My sincere condolences to all of Esme's family and friends. She will be missed.

I would like to pass on some information that was posted on my neighborhood mailing list reiterating what Allison said above:

Does anyone who's been posting about ESME BARRERA's murder have any contactwith her family? If so, please let them know a pro bono attorney whorepresents victims of violent crime and their families is trying to reachthem. I have rapidly increasing concerns over some of the fundraisingefforts that are being made in their name. Namely, that the efforts arerendering the family ineligible for the state Crime Victim's Compensationfund that pays for crime victim funeral expenses, and covers services forfamily such as travel reimbursement, counseling, and lost wage compensation.

Please pass my contact info along widely to anyone who may be able to reachher family.

Esme was a stranger to me, and yet her passing has affected me deeply. The overwhelming amount of testimonials to the positive influence she had on so many lives in such a short amount of time is testament to the sort of human being she must have been. I'm bummed that I never got to meet her, but I consider it a privilege to help out with my meager donation. She lived life the right way, and her example is a gift to all of us--strangers, friends, and family alike.

We went to the same stinky catholic school in el paso... she was always very energetic, happy, and hyper, she had so much life in her (i sound cliche i'm sure)... i remember she would talk about wanting to be a doctor, being ms. eden's favorite student, she was small (everyone saying this but it's true)... her mother was fab, call everyone "babe" which esme also did.. she had an older sister who was my 8th grader when i was in kindergarten with her.. she was always so popular and gregarious, back then her "best friend" was dawn williams.. she talked about TLC's "creep" song once on the monkey bars, then she left catholic school, flash forward to the year 2000, saw her again at UTEP said hi... she was now into punk and obscure indie bands, we talked about the misfits, bikini kill, and fugazi. bumped into her at Best buy... she had a ton of cd's stacked in her small hands, she was rambling and speaking very quickly about music and the cd's she was buying. again we met at dolce vita.. was with a boyfriend and my boyfriend's friend chris who was hitting up on some popular girl named jo who threw punk shows in EP... she was there with her friend "Sandra"? both of them were hyper and giddy, couldn't figure out why. Saw her again via facebook, friended her, read about some water gun fight or competition in austin, saw pics of her as a school of rock for girls teacher.......thought she became something insanely interesting, beyond my frame of reach.

There she goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.

This has been such a shocking blow to our community here in central Austin, I live close by and I am still numb....

If the family still needs help, we could arrange a women's self-defense workshop where we only charge donations that can be deposited straight into the paypal. We have a women's only class on Tuesday nights and we are are the only martial art created by a women. Also, I can contact a lady who trains with us that is one the most prominent female martial school owners and teachers in TX. Hopefully she will be able to take part as well.

I would also like to offer that any ladies that that feel like they could use some help with self-defense and avoidance/awareness to come train in our Women's Class for 2 months for free.

Please contact me if this something you would like to see set up. I would love to help out just let me know what I can do.

Dear one, I really wish I'd had the opportunity to meet and get to know you as I have recently read wonderful things about you. I know you are in a better place now and I turn my thoughts and prayers of courage and strength go to all of your loved ones in their time of deepest heartbreak.

" Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die. "

Esme, I wish I could have known you. I moved to Austin only a year ago, and you sound so like the friend I've needed. I wish peace and strength to those fortunate enough to have been touched by your being. Such sincere, deep sadness for you and yours. For whatever it's worth, you've truly inspired me to live life a little more fully. Many of your passions are my own, and seeing what an incredible force you were by not only have convictions, but living them, makes me feel it is my responsibility to do the same. So corny, I'm sorry, but clearly you were an incredible person; I don't even know you and I'm moved by your life. Rest well, sweet girl.

Esme, I have faith that hugs and hope will outweigh our grief, and linger after our tears. May we make each day count, living like we mean it! I remember you as a sweet, positive high school girl, a good friend of my daughter Wendy. I trust you are now safe and enveloped in more love and fulfillment and awe than anything this life can offer. God bless all you love and who love you.